updated 05:20 pm EST, Wed November 5, 2008

Seagate hybrid SSDs?

Memory device maker Seagate is investing as much as $100 million into developing a new type of solid-state drives (SSDs), according to a Wednesday report. According to company CEO Bill Watkins, Seagate is trying to resolve certain issues with the current technology, including SSDs' higher cost of production relative to hard disk drives and their limited read/write cycles. The company's solution would be to create a new technology that combines single-layer cell (SLC) and multi-layer cell (MLC) tech, marrying the former's superior reliability with the latter's low manufacturing cost.

Watkins did not divulge any more information apart from the fact it will work on such hybrid technology, though did reveal it will need to develop new controller technology for the devices.

Watkins added the customer base for storage is changing, from businesses to consumers, thanks to the proliferation of digital media such as downloadable HD movies and digital photographs. He stated Seagate does more business with private sales than enterprise users. As such, the company is also working on a network attached storage drive meant for home use.